Aviatrix CEO on how CIOs can gain from integrating security and networking across multi-cloud

Cloud providers are gradually improving their core networking capabilities, but there's still a long way to go. The way workloads move within the cloud—and the fact that nearly every cloud service is accessible via the internet—dramatically changes the dynamics of security. This calls for robust security solutions for distributed applications across diverse infrastructures. US-based cloud network security firm Aviatrix Systems claims to address this gap by providing secure and simplified cloud networking for single and multi-cloud environments.

During his recent visit to India, Aviatrix Global CEO Doug Merritt (former CEO of data security company Splunk) told TechCircle how CIOs can navigate the cloud, and the importance of having advanced network security frameworks. He also outlined the company’s strategic vision for the India market.

Addressing the network security gap

Founded in 2014, Aviatrix initially focused on advanced networking but quickly pivoted to address the greater challenge of network security. In that sense, it competes directly with companies like Cisco in the cloud networking market.

Merritt emphasised the growing recognition among CIOs and CISOs that traditional data centre security models are inadequate for the cloud. He advocated for a new, pervasive, distributed network security architecture and believes in cloud-native security models.

“We bridge the gap between cloud providers' networking and security services, delivering consistent network security and enabling single-cloud deployments to thrive. This ensures consistent protection for workloads in secure clouds, equivalent to that of on-premise data centres,” said Merritt, adding that while multi-cloud adoption grows, many customers begin with Aviatrix in a single cloud, where the demand for advanced network security remains significant.

The India market focus

Aviatrix's second-largest investment is its Bengaluru centre. The company plans to expand in India through partnerships, research, and training specialised partners in cloud network security.

Aviatrix targets Global 2000 and Fortune 500 companies with a cloud presence, many with substantial teams in India. The company supports this market via the Aviatrix Certified Engineer (ACE) program and plans to train partners to serve Indian-native companies.

That said, Merritt considers its India team a full-stack operation, encompassing marketing, HR, finance, and technical functions. The team has grown by 30% in the past six months, underscoring the company's commitment to career advancement, equal opportunities, and a remote-first, distributed organisation. India is viewed as a crucial global location.

Merritt noted that Bengaluru's concentration of networking and security expertise made it the ideal location. Approximately 25% of the global workforce and nearly 50% of the engineering team are based in India.
Notably, the company's primary focus in India has been supporting multinational customers with large cloud teams and investing in India as a talent hub. Approximately 25% of the global workforce and nearly 50% of the engineering team are based in India.

Merritt believes network security is a resilient investment area due to persistent cyber-threats. Aviatrix is aggressively investing in its cloud firewall and network security solutions, including the Kubernetes Firewall, which addresses unique Kubernetes security vulnerabilities.

Building a reliable, scalable organisation

The company currently has roughly $100 million in annual recurring revenue in a network security market exceeding $10 billion, illustrating significant growth potential. Aviatrix's technical differentiation drives hyper-growth. The company emphasises clarity, market understanding, and customer service. Increasing awareness of cloud network security weaknesses, requiring specialised technology, fuels growth and provides a competitive advantage.

When asked about the company’s earlier plans of going public, Merritt said, he considers a potential IPO a milestone and prioritises building a reliable, scalable organisation with clear visibility for at least the next eight quarters. The focus remains on delivering value, achieving scale, and preparing for a potential public offering when market conditions are favourable.

In the coming months, Aviatrix will enhance cloud firewall product coverage, driven by the Kubernetes Firewall release for comprehensive cloud workload protection. “We are also integrating generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and agentic AI for greater autonomy, scalability and flexibility, and partnering with Microsoft to integrate their global security insights while retaining a human-in-the-loop approach,” he said.